135mm - 200mm Prime lens

[swlloyd3]

Hi,

I am currently trying to add to my lens collection for grab and go set up and I just wondered if anybody has any suggestions in the above focal length.

I have seen the following lenses on ebay that have taken my interest and read plenty of reviews for daytime use but not specifically for astrophotography!

Carl Zeiss Jena 135mm f/2.8 MC Praktica > http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330943194801?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

CARL ZEISS JENA DDR MC S SONNAR 135mm f/3.5 > http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141129298337?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Not sure about the real differences between the two above apart from one being faster!

I dont mind anything up to 200mm, infact closer to 200mm would be my preferred range but I would be fine with something as low as 135mm.

Budget wise - £100 or less. Not looking for something incredible but a decent lens for the budget!

Ste.

[davew]

I'd wait and see what Crunchard comes up with - http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/202267-camera-lens-star-bloathalo-issue/

Dave

[Alien 13]

I am not sure if the canon 1000d has a cropped sensor or not if it has then the 135mm will be close to 200mm effective size and a good choice for widefield shots. I cant comment on the Zeiss lens not tried one yet.

[Alien 13]

I have also noticed that both lenses that you have listed are the MC/MD fitting some of these require an adapter that includes a lens to achieve infinity focus i allways look for the M42 or OM type.

[swlloyd3]

Cheers Dave will see if there are suggestions posted.

Crunchard  listed he had the F3.5 Carl Zeiss and needed to be stopped down to remove the star bloat so I think I will steer clear of that one as I want the fastest possible settings.

The one listed above F3.5 is an M42 mount and the other F2.8 is a Practika PB mount.

[JohnC64]

Hi all,

I have the f3.5 Jenna DDR on a M42 thread and have used it for AP on a Modded Canon 1100D with an adapter and it is excellent.  It does need  clicking down a  stop or so to get good star shapes but gives great results even stopped down. The only tricky thing in using lenses like this is getting focus spot on and I would recommend a micro focuser like this.

http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p3285_Microfocuser-and-focus-lock-fuer-camera-lenses-up-to-D-75mm.html

Heres a few threads with images i have posted using that lens

Cheers John

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/191816-widefield-crescent-and-tulip

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/194070-heart-and-soul/

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/194090-m31/

[davew]

Crunchard's 135mm image is now on that link. I was expecting a lot worse from his description !

At least you now have an example and John ( JohnC64 ) seems to rate his and so do I now I've seen them again. Focus is vital.

Choices choices,

Dave.

[Crunchard]

I have the Carl Zeiss 135mm Zebra F3.5 - not sure how this compares against the 2 in the original post though.

Top of my shopping list is the TS microfocuser, as I am sure that will help me out with the sharpness.

[swlloyd3]

Thanks for the info! I think if I go for the F3.5 I will go for the microfocuser aswell - should come in very useful for my other old prime lenses